Canada started by far the brighter of the two sides, centre Nikyta Witkowski bursting through several weak tackles as early as the second minute.

And the Canucks were rewarded for their early endeavour when fly-half Bob Ross dropped a smart drop goal.

Wales' cause was hardly helped when Charvis was yellow-carded in the eighth minute after catching Ross with a stray hand as he attempted to charge down a kick.

But they made light of his absence to take the lead by scoring a cracking try after 16 minutes.

Harris was twice involved in a sparkling move involving forwards and backs, the centre's cut-out pass helping put Parker over in the left corner.

Harris orchestrated the victory

Harris converted from the touchline, and added a penalty after Parker twice wasted good opportunities to add to his tally by dropping the ball metres from the line.

Harris looked dangerous every time the ball came his way, and another searing break should have yielded further reward when Ceri Sweeney was held short, but Martyn Williams knocked on inches from the line.

But the second try was not long in coming, Gareth Thomas stepping in off his right wing on the half-hour, allowing Cooper to dart over from close range.

Harris again converted to make it 20-3 and Wales reached the interval in good heart after their early worries.